New York Red Bulls 4-1 Colorado Rapids: Kenny Cooper and Thierry Henry On Song

Over 21,000 fans attended Red Bull Arena Sunday afternoon to see the New York Red Bulls ends their two game losing streak after a four goals to one victory over Colorado Rapids.

It all started early when Thierry Henry got a gift in the 3rd minute. Joel Lindpere put pressure on Ross LaBauex, who held the ball and forced him to make an error. The ball came to Henry. He had Drew Moor to his right, but with no trouble at all he slotted the ball past Matt Pickens for his first goal of the season.

Three minutes later it was Kenny Cooper’s turn to get on the score sheet, when his shot went inside the near post for his 50th career MLS goal.

In the second half, Henry linked up with Wilman Conde on a set piece in the 53rd minute. A long cross from Conde found Henry in his stride. And once again it was the Frenchman who ripped his second of the match for a three goal lead.

Then the final tally came from Kenny Cooper as he parked himself inside the six yard box and waited for the cross. All he had to do was to knock it in to the top shelf. Omar Cummings did pull one back in the 77th minute off a bad give away by the defense, but the Red Bulls finally earned their first three points of the season.

“I think you can say it wasn’t a must win, but after losing two games on the road, players confidence wise, were a bit shaky,” said New York Red Bulls head coach Hans Backe. “But their flying start, scoring two goals in the first six minutes, settled it down in a good way. I think overall both defending and attacking looked solid.”

After finishing off the final two of his three match ban, Rafa Marquez looked solid and gave confidence in the midfield that was lacking in the first two games of the season. You can tell he was ready to look past his horrible season last year and move on.

The return of Wilman Conde to MLS showed that he performed well and looked to be the field general for the back line. Not only did he track back well, but he was able to get his fellow defenders into better position to stop the Rapids.

After conceding four goals on the road in two games, it was the Red Bulls turn to break out and put four of their own into the back of the net. Hopefully that same mentality will be on display this Saturday when the Montreal Impact come to town in their first visit to Red Bull Arena.

Before the match started the New York Red Bulls team wore T-shirts to support Bolton Wanderers central midfielder Fabrice Muamba who collapsed during a recent FA Cup quarter final against Tottenham Hotspur.